Risk Phrases – Old EU

R-phrases (short for Risk Phrases) are defined in Annex III of European UnionDirective 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC,[1] where translations into other EU languages may be found.

These risk phrases are used internationally, not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonisation.

Risk phrases

Note: Missing R-numbers indicate phrases that have been deleted or replaced by other phrases.

Combinations

R14/15 Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
R15/29 Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
R14/15/29 Reacts violently with water, liberating toxic, extremely flammable gases
R20/21 Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
R20/22 Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
R20/21/22 Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
R23/24 Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R23/25 Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R23/24/25 Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R24/25 Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R26/27 Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R26/28 Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R27/28 Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R36/37 Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
R36/38 Irritating to eyes and skin
R36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
R37/38 Irritating to respiratory system and skin
R39/23 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/24 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/23/24 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/23/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/24/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/23/24/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/27 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/26/27 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/26/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/27/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26/27/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R42/43 May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact
R45/46 May cause cancer and heritable genetic damage
R48/20 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/21 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/20/21 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/20/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/21/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/20/21/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/24 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/23/24 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/23/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/24/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23/24/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R51/53 Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R52/53 Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R68/20 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
R68/21 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
R68/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
R68/20/21 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R68/20/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R68/21/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R68/20/21/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed